develop people

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'develop people' can be used in written English.
It is typically used in contexts such as business, education or human resource management when discussing people's skills and abilities. For example, "Our company places a lot of emphasis on developing people and their abilities to help them achieve their full potential in the workplace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

"I know how to retain and train and develop people.

The New York Times

MR. Immelt says his broadest responsibility at G.E. is to "drive change and develop people".

The New York Times

If you develop people, it means fewer phone calls and fewer interruptions when you're on vacation.

The New York Times

In general, though, as countries develop people spend proportionally less on food.

The Economist

Another way to develop people and teamworking skills is to volunteer.

Independent

"Delegation is a terrific way to develop people," Dr. Friedman said.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

"He really focussed on developing people".

The New Yorker

"What we are good at is developing people.

Independent

"That is a place where we are developing people who can potentially move over," he said.

The New York Times

Scientists tested 1,099 typically developing people – male and female – aged between three and 20.

The Guardian

John F. Welch Jr., the former chief of G.E., often said that developing people was his main job.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "develop people", consider the specific skills or qualities you aim to cultivate. Be specific in your writing by detailing the development methods and expected outcomes.

Common error

Don't use "develop people" as a generic term. Instead of saying a program aims to "develop people", specify what skills or knowledge the program intends to foster. For example, say it aims to "develop leadership skills" or "develop technical expertise".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "develop people" functions as a verb phrase with a direct object, indicating an action performed on individuals. Ludwig AI shows this action is primarily associated with improving their skills, knowledge or potential. The phrase suggests intentional efforts to cultivate certain qualities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

26%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Science & Research

5%

Project Engineering The Essential Toolbox for Young Engineers

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "develop people" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that refers to the process of enhancing individuals' skills, knowledge, and potential. Ludwig AI's analysis of numerous examples highlights its common usage in business, educational, and human resources contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to be specific about the skills or qualities being developed to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "cultivate talent" or "foster growth in individuals" can add nuance, but "develop people" remains a versatile and widely understood way to describe efforts to improve human capabilities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cultivate talent

This alternative emphasizes nurturing inherent abilities and potential.

foster growth in individuals

This option focuses on promoting the expansion of skills and capabilities within persons.

nurture potential

This phrase highlights the act of encouraging and supporting the unrealized capabilities of people.

mentor individuals

This alternative suggests guiding and advising individuals in their development journey.

train personnel

This implies providing specific instruction and skills to employees for professional purposes.

build capacity

This focuses on enhancing the overall capabilities and effectiveness of a group or individuals.

empower employees

This highlights giving employees the authority and resources to succeed and grow.

advance careers

This focuses on promoting professional progress and advancement for individuals.

improve skills

This alternative puts emphasis on the act of enhancing existing abilities.

educate the workforce

This suggests providing formal instruction to enhance the knowledge and expertise of the workforce.

FAQs

How can I use "develop people" in a sentence?

You can use "develop people" to describe actions taken to improve skills, knowledge, or potential. For example: "The company invests heavily in programs that "develop people" and enhance their capabilities."

What's a formal alternative to "develop people"?

In a formal context, consider using phrases like "cultivate talent", "foster growth in individuals", or "nurture potential".

Is it better to say "developing people" or "develop people"?

Both "develop people" and "developing people" are correct but have different uses. "Develop people" is often used as a general statement of purpose or intent. "Developing people" is used as a continuous action or part of a process.

What does it mean to "develop people" in a business context?

In business, to ""develop people"" typically refers to enhancing employees' skills, knowledge, and abilities through training, mentoring, and other developmental activities, to improve their performance and contribution to the organization.